REGION VÄSTRA GÖTALAND A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED ORGANISATION Among other things Region Västra Götaland works to promote a rich cultural life, good health care and sustainable regional growth. Region Västra Götaland owns and runs cultural institutions like the Göteborg Opera, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Film i Väst. The 149 democratically elected members of the regional council are elected every four years. Regional taxes are the major source of income. Read more at www.vgregion.se SCP Reklambyrå/CELA Grafi ska. 2009 In this brochure, you may notice that some organisations call our town Göteborg and some Gothenburg. The simple reason for this is that the first is the traditional Swedish name and the second is the name by which the city is known internationally. We bring this to your attention as this can have an effect when searching for information on the Internet. DRIVEN BY CULTURE Region Västra Götaland, Cultural Affairs Secretariat, Regionens Hus, Box 764, SE-451 26 Uddevalla, Sweden. Tel: +46 522 67 08 00. www.vgregion.se/kultur
DYNAMICS AND DEVELOPMENT DEMAND CULTURE Culture is about people s well-being, about all sides of life. It is about personal, social and economic development of society. Our environment and a sustainable society. A good life today and tomorrow. This is the basis for the region s strong belief in culture as a driving force. That is why more is invested in culture in Västra Götaland than anywhere else in Sweden. That is how you become Sweden s foremost region for culture.
A LIVING CULTURE HAS MANY FACES LIMITLESSNESS PAGES 6-11 INSPIRATION PAGES 12-17 COMMITMENT PAGES 18-23 PERSPECTIVE PAGES 24-29 1 2 3 4 VITALITY PAGES 30-35 5 Västra Götaland s cultural life embraces both uniqueness and breadth, local expression, and impulses from outside. On the following pages you will meet some of Region Västra Götaland s major efforts to develop all of culture s exciting forms of expression and impact. 4 5
Nicole Kidman in Lars von Trier s Dogville. FILM I VÄST: In the mid 1990s, the industrial city of Trollhättan became 1 PRODUCED LOCALLY FOR the setting for a modest venture into films. Today, Film i Väst is one of Europe s leading regional film funds and has since its inception invested THE WHOLE WORLD in a series of award-winning films from international successes like Lars von Trier s Dogville, Dancer in the Dark and Manderlay to Swedish films like Fucking Åmål and Dalecarlians. Thanks to the regional initiative in Trollhättan we can now see other worlds than just the big city at the cinema. Talented actors and actresses, directors and animators no longer need to flee to Europe s capitals to make films that attract attention at major film festivals around the world. Film i Väst s commission to build an infrastructure for films and media in Västra Götaland has made the step from amateur level to professional film production a little shorter, especially for new young talent. Read more at www. filmivast.se 7
1 LIMITLESSNESS STAGE AND SCREEN: International films and experimental dance. Classical drama and infinite innovation. In Västra Götaland cultural life is intense, full of variety and in a state of constant development. Here are a few samples from stage and screen around the region. FROM BERGMAN TO BOOKS Göteborg International Film Festival: Scandinavia s biggest film festival and one of the world s biggest public festivals. Over 11 intensive days, film enthusiasts are treated to the Nordic Film Market, the international Dragon Award competition, the Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award and much more besides. The festival also publishes the award-winning magazine Filmkonst, among other things as a paperback and a DVD. 9 ARENA FOR YOUNG FILM-MAKERS The November Festival: three full days of young Swedish film in Trollhättan, the hub of Västra Götaland s growing film industry. Every year the festival screens 60 shorts made by aspiring film-makers under 27 years of age, all competing for Swedish film s most prestigious award the November Festival statuette. Although the focus is on young filmmakers, the festival attracts film enthusiasts of all ages.
CONTEMPORARY ART IN FREEDOM Atalante: one of Västra Götaland s exciting meeting-places for innovation and experiment in dance, music, film, art, TV games and literature. Together with dance theatres in Malmö and Stockholm, Atalante also runs Scenarkivet and Turnéslingan, where every year the theatres put on each other s productions and give free dance the opportunity to meet new audiences. NEVER GROWN UP, ALWAYS TOPICAL Backa Theatre: independent artistic section of Göteborg City Theatre and one of Sweden s leading children s and young people s theatres. In the Göteborg City Theatre family, Backa is the teenager with the task of reaching younger audiences with no upper age limit. International guest performances have introduced young Swedish theatre to audiences on three continents. THEATRE FOR THE WHOLE OF VÄSTRA GÖTALAND Regionteater Väst: puts on theatre and dance performances in all of Västra Götaland s 49 municipalities. The theatre is constantly on tour but also gives performances on its own stages in Borås and Uddevalla. Equality and gender issues are important topics. As is the environment: in the cabaret Ont i Klotet the entire production is environmentally compatible. FOR BUDDING TALENT KulturUngdom: a non-profit association in the Västra Götaland region that supports young culture and young cultural practitioners. Today, several thousand members receive practical help when tendencies and ambitions are developing and need a platform. Projects like 50/50 and technical education for girls promote gender equality in the musical arts. SOME OF VÄSTRA GÖTALAND S FILM FESTIVALS: Bengtsfors & Eds Göteborg International Skövde Film Festival Film Festival Film Festival Frame The November Festival (young regional film) (young Swedish film) Atalante Borås City Theatre Danscentrum Väst Folkteatern THEATRE AND DANCE: Göteborg City Theatre (and Backa Theatre) KulturUngdom Regionteater Väst The Swedish National Touring Theatre Västra Götaland Teatercentrum Väst 10 11
Sculpture by Jaume Plensa. 2 CONTEMPORARY ART ON SCULPTURE IN PILANE: At Pilane on the island of Tjörn lies one of Sweden s most beautiful ancient grave fields. The sheep that graze here around the rocks and stone circles of Bohuslän have for several years HISTORIC GROUND had the company of monumental sculptures by some of the world s bestknown contemporary artists. Laura Ford s homeless badger, Claes Hake s stone sculpture Pater Noster and Zhang Huan s 7-metre tall statue of Buddha have attracted over 75,000 visitors a year to the location, which through project leader Peter Lennby s efforts has become a contemporary art gallery with ancient monuments as its backdrop. Using historical sites to give form to today s issues and allowing contemporary art to sift the past is one of the most important questions of all in the region s cultural policy. At Pilane these ambitions have been made real. Read more at www.pilane.com 13
2 INSPIRATION A GREAT STRIDE FOWARD FOR ART Art in the whole region: Four art centres with an assignment to cooperate with and complement each other strengthen art s status in Västra Götaland Skövde Konsthall, Lokstallet in Strömstad, Dalsland Art Museum, and Borås Art Museum. Borås is also home to Jim Dine s bronze sculpture of Pinocchio, Walking to Borås, a much talked about symbol of Västra Götaland s leading centre of sculpture. WHERE HISTORY MEETS THE FUTURE Not Quite: Västra Götaland s cross-border forum and network for professional artists, craftsmen and designers. At the old Fengersfors paper mill in Åmål, Not Quite has created workshops, studios, a photo lab, a gallery and an art exhibition hall. The 18th century mill has become an attractive tourist destination and a meeting-place for art and trade and industry. ART AND DESIGN: Style, forms of expression, and traditions come together in Västra Götaland. People who create and people who experience. Here we present a few examples of everything that is created and put on show, and that contributes to an inspiring, creative living environment. 15
CREATION WITHOUT BORDERS Region Västra Götaland s guest studio programme: an opportunity to experience working in a new environment. Swedish artists and craftsmen can live and work in Germany, China, Mexico or Egypt and artists from these countries can live and work in the Nordic Watercolour Museum s studios in Skärhamn. ARTS AND CRAFTS AND DESIGN IN AN EXCITING ENVIRONMENT Steneby College of Design: a unique cultural centre and college in Dals Långed in Västra Götaland s inland. The school was established over 75 years ago with a focus on working with wood and furniture. Today, Steneby is part of he School of Design and Crafts at the University of Gothenburg. SMART DESIGN, THINKING TEXTILES Smart textiles: Textiles that clean the air. Clothes that monitor the wearer s heart rate. At the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, innovation is centred on both design and textile technology. The school conducts extensive research on smart functions in textiles, a coming field where Västra Götaland is already a world leader. THE TALENT FACTORY IN SKÖVDE Gothia Science Park: Västra Götaland is home to some of the world s leading young computer game developers. The University of Skövde has Sweden s best game development programme and in collaboration with Gothia Science Park, one of Västra Götaland s incubators, tomorrow s game developers can turn their ideas into commercial successes. MUSEUMS FOR ART EXPERIENCES A SMALL SELECTION: Göteborgs Museum of Art Röda Sten Röhsska Museum Skövde Art Museum Alingsås Art Gallery Borås Art Museum Bohusläns Art Museum Dalslands Art Museum The Nordic Watercolour Museum The Art unit (Konstenheten) is also responsible for conserving and exhibiting the region s over 50,000 works of art in public premises all over Västra Götaland. Angeredsateljén Balettakademin Cutters academy in Gothenburg Da capo TERTIARY EDUCATION IN ART AND ARTS AND CRAFTS Region Västra Götaland supports: Dansforum Performing Arts School Formakademin Folkuniversitetet s Arts College Gerlesborg School of Fine Art KV Konstskola The Nordic Design School Skara skolscen Steneby College of Design Tibro Crafts Centre 16 17
Shadows cross-border dramatic art. SHARE MUSIC SWEDEN: Diversity and accessibility are central issues 3 UNLIMITED CREATIVITY for culture in Västra Götaland. Share Music began with the vision of giving young people with disabilities an opportunity to express themselves artistically. Today, Share Music carries out assignments from Region Västra Götaland in the region and around the country. It s main activities comprise short courses in music, dance and drama for anyone who wishes to create, learn and experiment in groups. Regardless of disability or previous knowledge. The mix of art forms and people with differing prerequisites is part of its distinctive character and the creative process results in acclaimed performances and other high quality artistic expressions. Share Music also participates in an extensive research and method development effort centred on creativity and artistic creation as tools. Read more at www.sharemusic.se 18 19
3 COMMITMENT LIFELONG LEARNING: Culture and education are two sides of the same coin. Seeking knowledge and participating in culture enrich people and the whole of society, That is why Region Västra Götaland supports libraries, folk high schools, museums, archives and educational associations meeting-places for lifelong learning. IT S NEVER TOO LATE Fristad Folk High School: is one of Sweden s oldest folk high schools and an important part of Region Västra Götaland s focus on adult education. The school s aim is first and foremost to give people with only a short basic education an opportunity to continue their studies. The school also offers courses for people on sick leave, unemployed people and people with disabilities, opening up new roads in a constantly changing society. 20 21 KNOWLEDGE MEETS KNOWLEDGE Innovatum Science Park: Innovatum is located close to the falls and locks in Trollhättan. A development centre for the future where academia, industry and society collaborate, among other things on AV technology. Images, films, animation and visualisation create new possibilities; artistic creation meets industrial development.
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH THE WORLD OF BOOKS Författarcentrum Väst: a non-profit association supported by Region Västra Götaland. Its activities include arranging visits to schools and libraries by authors and events like Forum för poesi och prosa, Sweden s leading platform for poetry and prose readings. The association s efforts focus on spreading literature in society and increasing contact between authors and readers. FLEET-FOOTED OUTFIELDERS FOR CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Kultur i Väst: the department at Region Västra Götaland tasked with supporting and developing culture in the whole region in collaboration with municipalities, associations and clubs, and educational associations. Its field of activities consists of Västra Götaland Regional Library, Art and Culture Development, and Musik i Väst, making up an easily accessible and much demanded resource for all cultural arenas. A DRIVING FORCE ON THE LITERARY SCENE Book days in Dalsland: Established authors, amateur writers and avid book readers meet over three intensive days in Håverud and Åmål in Dalsland to explore the written word together. An event that began locally on a very modest scale and that has grown into Sweden s biggest literary summer festival. THE LIBRARIES OWN KNOWLEDGE BANK Västra Götaland Regional Library: service for public libraries, hospital libraries and school libraries is one of the regional library s tasks, along with increasing accessibility for people with impaired vision and other reading disabilities by means of talking magazines and recordings. The general knowledge game Tidsjakt.se allows children and educators to discover their local cultural and natural heritage in a new way. FOLK HIGH SCHOOLS IN VÄSTRA GÖTALAND: Billström Folk High School Dalsland Folk High School Fristad Folk High School Grebbestad Folk High School Göteborg Folk High School Vara Folk High School KULTURLAGRET IN VÄNERSBORG CULTURE-HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE IN ONE PLACE: 50,000 books and other written matter 300,000 items 1.3 million images Individual archives, register of ancient monuments, etc. 22 23
World heritage site and tourist magnet. VITLYCKE WORLD HERITAGE SITE: All around the world people have carved and painted. At Tanum, by the sea in northwest Västra Götaland, thousands of pictures are preserved in the province s smooth rock surfaces. This prehistoric treasure is so significant and unique that it has been inscribed on Unesco s World Heritage List of the world s cultural monuments. There are about 510 rock carving sites at Vitlycke. Vitlycke Museum, which is part of Region Västra Götaland s cultural organisation, is an information centre and also runs the world heritage preschool where natural and cultural heritage become part 4 GREE T I NGS FROM THE BRONZE AGE of the small children s development as they play. Every year the world heritage site attracts about 150,000 visitors from many different countries. It is the world s largest rock carving centre and an important part of the increasing culture tourism in Västra Götaland. Read more at www.vitlyckemuseum.se 25
4 PERSPECTIVE NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE: In Västra Götaland everyone contributes to the preservation and use of our cultural heritage. Museums, archives, libraries, societies and educational associations are responsible for much of the use. Naturecultural tourism creates a foundation for all who wish to make a living from their cultural efforts. DISCOVER 2,000 YEARS OF HISTORY Västarvet: is owned by the Region Västra Götaland and is Sweden s biggest natural and cultural heritage administration, with museums, historical sites, archaeological excavations and many more exciting and educational places of interest. Västarvet also offers stimulating, educative courses and can provide answers to questions about arts and crafts, building conservation, animals, nature and much more. 27 WHERE HISTORY COMES ALIVE Läckö Castle: has its origins in the 13th century and in its present form from the 17th century. One of Sweden s most magnificent castles, on the island of Kållandsö in Lake Vänern, offers visitors a piece of well-preserved living history, a renowned 250-year-old kitchen garden, and highly topical events, exhibitions and activities. Läckö is one of Västra Götaland s most popular tourist attractions.
A TASTE FOR THE GOOD THINGS Food as a cultural experience: Region Västra Götaland is supporting the development of the region s own cuisine, including the Gröna besöksmål network where Gunnebo House and Gardens promote ecological, locally produced food, Västsvensk Mersmak a taste of West Sweden with 27 certified restaurants and Skolmatsakademin (the School Food Academy) that tells children and young people how to eat healthily. A PRESERVED INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT IN USE AGAIN Forsvik Industrial Monuments: the place to experience industrial history and industrialised society s cultural heritage. Beautiful, different milieus, exhibitions, youth hostels, classical theatre, music, and boatbuilders, founders and smiths in action Forsvik is a historical tourist destination in a constant state of development. WEB-SITES FOR NATURE AND CULTURE TOURISTS IN VÄSTRA GÖTALAND www.vastarvet.se www.industrihistoria.se www.vastsverige.com/medeltid www.vastsverige.com/fagelvagen www.vastsverige.com/gotakanal FOR ALL LOVERS OF OLD BUILDINGS Nääs Architectural Heritage: Western Sweden s centre for practical building conservation and Sweden s first centre for building conservation, with Region Västra Götaland s heritage organisation Västarvet as its supervising authority. At Nääs, anyone interested can learn and get expert help on conserving and renovating old buildings and also visit neighbouring Nääs Manor in its fantastic 19th century setting. VÄSTARVET S MUSEUMS AND ACTIVITIES: Bohusläns museum Lödöse museum Forsviks Industrial Monuments Vänersborg Museum and Kulturlagret The Natural History Museum in Gothenburg Museum of Västergötland Vitlycke Museum Västra Götaland s homecraft consultants Touring exhibitions Studio Västsvensk Konservering (Conservation of Cultural Property) Region Västra Götaland also supports the Maritime Museum and the City Museum in Göteborg, the regional folk movement archives and Västra Götaland s local heritage and homecraft societies. 28 29
Gustavo Dudamel, maestro of the world s concert halls. THE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF SWEDEN: The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra has its main home in a concert hall famed for both its design and its acoustics situated on Götaplatsen in central Göteborg. With a long line of international tours and hundreds of recordings behind them, 5 ENERGY FOR ALL THE SENSES the orchestra is also the National Orchestra of Sweden with Gustavo Dudamel, one of the music world s great talents, as its inspiring music director. Vara Concert Hall in the heart of Västra Götaland s farming country is the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra s second home. Outside of the concert halls, the orchestra also takes part in many different events where orchestra, music and new groups of listeners can come together a way of contributing to lowering the thresholds to music. The popular outdoor concerts are one arena, mini-tours of the region playing to packed houses another. Read more at www.gso.se and www.varakonserthus.se 31
5 VITALITY ENCOUNTERS WITH THE AUDIENCE: Folk music and rock bands. Classical music and living history. In Västra Götaland, culture s dynamic mix is both a source of energy and part of the region s development in both a social and an economic perspective. Region Västra Götaland is committed to creating meeting-places for culture both in established institutions and those that provide prerequisites for the region s citizens own creative efforts. CREATIVITY DEVELOPS WORKING LIFE TILLT: New angles give new perspectives. This is the principle behind TILLT, that has its origins in the non-profit dramatic society Skådebanan. Today TILLT works throughout the region to create stimulating interactions between the culture sector and workplaces in Västra Götaland. Creativity and artistes meet environments that traditionally have not been associated with words like art, music, literature and dance. 33 ARIAS FOR EVERYONE The Göteborg Opera: an opera house by the water in the Port of Göteborg and another stage in Skövde. The ensemble also frequently go on tour, giving guest performances in theatres and schools and at other events throughout the region. This is how the Göteborg Opera fulfils its assignment of making the magical world of musical theatre accessible to everyone.
THREE COLOURFUL DAYS IN MAY Hammarkullen Carnival: Sweden s largest carnival and a giant multicultural street party that has made Göteborg suburb Hammarkullen its home since 1974. Always the last weekend in May, always innumerable spectators, always unpaid performers and officials and always full of dancing and music to a samba beat. AT HOME WITH CULTURE Gullspång s Everyday festivals: the different festival concept where the citizens of Gullspång show off their creative sides in their home environments. Gardening, conjuring, stamp collecting, singing, playing computer games Everyday is a place for culture that the established arenas may not always have room for. Gullspång s Everyday festivals create new exciting meeting places for culture. SOME OF VÄSTRA GÖTALAND S EVENTS AND FESTIVALS Göteborg Dance and Theatre Festival Kalv Festival Göteborg International Film Festival Göteborg Culture Festival Göteborg International Biennial for Summer theatre at Forsvik Contemporary Art COLOURFUL, IMAGINATIVE Meeting places: Cultural life in Västra Götaland is rich and varied. The region is home to major institutions with an international reputation alongside a cross-art-form, free cultural life not least thanks to the largest regional cultural budget in Sweden and a focus on culture for children and young people. The many festivals cover most kinds of cultural expression and culminate in the summer when festivals are held almost everywhere in Västra Götaland PROVOCATIVE THEATRE Folkteatern i Göteborg: renewal and a healthy view of traditions mark a completely new era at member-owned Folkteatern. Dramatist Lars Norén is leading the new artistic initiative with artists in residence, open rehearsals, titling in different languages and expanded cooperation with Region Västra Götaland s institutions. All in a new, open theatre with accessibility and a strong artistic profile as its objectives. PHOTO: Cover Johan Palmborg Pages 2-3 Jason Reed/Getty Images Page 6 Rolf Konow Page 7 Curt Warås, Michael Malmborg Page 8 Ron Berg/Getty Images Page 9 Göteborg International Film Festival, Tobias Hermansson Page 10 Atalante, Ola Kjelbye Page 11 Regionteater Väst, Mattias Tell Pages 12-13 Peter Lennby Page 15 Sergio Joselovsky, Malin Robertson Harén Page 16 Akvarellmuseet, Gunnar Johansson Page 17 Sergio Joselovsky, Mikael Tidkvist Page 18 Anders Fors Pages 20, 26, 32 Dan Holmqvist Page 21 Pierre Ohlsson, Innovatum Page 22 Carl Forsberg, Nicke Johansson Page 23 Åsa Carlsson, Annika Fredberg Pages 24-25 Vitlycke Page 27 Ulf Nordh, Eva Bäcklund Page 28 Lisa Nestorson, Ingrid Sporre Page 29 Jan Olander Pages 30-31 Anna Hult Page 33 TILLT, GöteborgsOperan Page 34 Ingmar Jernberg/pixgallery.com, Staffan Hjalmarsson Page 35 Dick Gillberg, Lina Ikse Bergman 34 35